Punjab launches first ever air quality forecast system

The Punjab government has launched Pakistan’s first state-of-the-art Air Quality Forecast System, a landmark initiative designed to curb pollution and provide accurate forecasts for major cities, including Lahore and Faisalabad. The system will issue weekly public reports, forecasting both weather conditions and pollution levels, to guide authorities and citizens in managing environmental risks.

Speaking at the inauguration, Provincial Senior Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb said the new system combines real-time monitoring with advanced scientific models and will integrate with international platforms such as Windy and European forecast models. “It will function in line with global air quality indices while also addressing local requirements,” she said.

The system will draw data from Punjab’s modern air quality monitoring stations, 41 of which are already operational, to provide detailed assessments of weather patterns and pollution levels. Officials said the number of monitoring stations will be expanded to 100 in the coming months. In addition to forecasting, the system will provide citizens with health protection advisories, particularly for vulnerable groups.

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Aurangzeb emphasised that the initiative would strengthen scientific foundations for policy-making. The system is part of Punjab’s broader Smog Control Plan, which calls for strict action against crop residue burning, steps to reduce vehicular and industrial emissions, and tighter enforcement of environmental regulations, she added.

She urged citizens to cooperate with the government’s efforts to combat pollution, warning of the health risks posed by smog. “During smog episodes, children, the elderly, and patients with respiratory illnesses should take extra precautions and avoid unnecessary outdoor exposure,” she advised.